Warning to commuters to protect PIN numbers

NEW YORK — The mantra at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is “protect your PIN” following the discovery that scammers were skimming credit and debit card information from railroad and MetroCard ticket vending machines again.

Skimming devices and miniature cameras were found at the Long Island Rail Road’s Baldwin station and New York City Transit’s 59th Street-Columbus Circle station this week.

All LIRR and Metro-North vending machines have been examined as a precaution, and no other devices were found. MetroCard vending machines are still being checked across the subway and bus system. Last year, MTA police broke up a scamming ring that had targeted the two railroads.

In the LIRR case, the MTA police have identified a possible suspect with ties to an identity theft gang in California and released a wanted poster with his photograph and other information. Details are posted at mta.info.